Why would either want to win? The chattering class will still hate him

Tonight we are going to see history made when America either votes for its first black President (probable) or its oldest first term President (not so probable). But you also get the added bonus that it will be a great one term Presidency, as they take over the poisoned chalice of economic chaos, and then spend two years dripping the message out in Khrushchev style that the problem is all because of their predecessor. There is a second term to win after all!

There is "live blogging" of the American spectacular going on all over the place. Personally, if you can be bothered to stay up I would pay attention to the US blogs rather than the UK ones. Places like Liberal Conspiracy will - if predictions and polls are right - no doubt be crowing (whilst live blogging MSM coverage, how 2.0!). Meanwhile, places like ConHome et al will - if predictions and polls are right - be trying to spin it as the beginning of the end of America, or not so bad for the GOP (whilst live blogging MSM coverage, how 2.0!).

However, if of couse the crazy upset occurs, and the GOP win, then I guarantee it will not be long before the left-wing blogosphere in the UK starts to talk in that serious Michael Moore way and finds reasons why it was all a big conspiracy. You know the drill, America is inherently racist; hanging chads; it was stolen; and the usual sort of crap that will ensure that people like Tim Ireland keep moaning on about "war, it's legal, it's lovely" for the next four years in the echo chamber that is the UK blogosphere.

Of course, if, (as predictions and polls say), Obama romps home, then for the next few months the left-wing blogosphere in the UK will be jumping up and down, and generally getting excited about the possibility that the evil America will have universal healthcare, and that troops will be out of Afghanistan and Iraq very soon, so the world can have a big group hug.

They will then turn instantly when Obama has his first meeting with the DoD and the NSA and quietly says "oh fuck me backwards with a pickling fork now I understand why Jed Bartlett acted the way he did even though I didn't really believe it was like that". This will result in them talking in that serious Michael Moore way, and will ensure that people like Tim Ireland keep moaning on about "war, it's legal, it's lovely" for the next four years in the echo chamber that is the UK blogosphere.

Whoever wins tonight it is plain and simple. The so-called "chattering classes" outside of America will still hate him when he doesn't pull out of Iraq instantly and denounce everything Clinton and Bush were saying all along about the "mad mullahs".

Welcome to 2009, and President X, it's going to be just like the last two administrations, the only difference is the time it takes for the sneering to start.

Four more years!